Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Deputy Principal Wellbeing Secondary
My name is Alan Fitzpatrick and I am the Deputy Principal Wellbeing Secondary. I joined the College in Term 4 2018 from La Salle College Middle Swan, where I spent 12 wonderful years heavily involved in pastoral care and student wellbeing. I have been very excited by what I have seen at Newman during my brief time here. The College has wonderful facilities, great staff and the students conduct themselves in a mature and pleasant manner. I look forward to working with the students in 2019 and helping them get the most out of their time during their Secondary School years.
As it is the start of a new year, I wanted to touch base on a few important pieces of information for parents and students.
Wellbeing Program – Term 1 2019
The Years 7-12 Wellbeing Program focuses on building students’ faith, self-belief and self-esteem. It has been designed to develop key life skills to help students cope with challenges in school and beyond. We are committed to developing the ‘whole’ person; socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Download Term 1 Years 7-12 Wellbeing Program
Assessment Calendars
Students and parents can view upcoming assessments via SEQTA. Assessments are in the process of being moved to avoid over assessing on certain days. As SEQTA is a live database, changes will be occurring and updating regularly. Year 11 and 12 calendars are the current focus before moving to Years 7-10.
Alternative Program to Year 12 Retreat
As part of their Year 12 experience, the Year 12 students will attend a three-day Retreat in Bindoon during Week 4. Whilst not at retreat, students will participate in a school based program designed to support the achievement of academic goals. Click here to access the program.
Transport
Transperth school specials 710, 715, 716, 717, 718 and 719 depart the College at 3.25pm daily. For those travelling on Route 83, Transperth will begin running additional services from Monday 18 February in order to help ease congestion. Click here for further information on the new Route 83 service.
Timetables and other information relating to Transperth school buses servicing Newman College can be found at www.transperth.wa.gov.au
Student Uniform and Grooming Expectations
It has been very pleasing to see the vast majority of students meeting the uniform expectations of the College at the start of the school year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students and their parents for helping in this area. I continue to encourage students to ensure their dress standards meet with the College’s expectations throughout the year.
Homework Club
Homework Club commenced this week. It runs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3.15pm – 6.00pm in the Siena Learning Centre. The Homework Club is supervised by Ms Natelee Calegari and Ms Carolyn O’Connor on Monday and Tuesday with a literacy focus while Ms Sarah Pagett supervises on Wednesdays with a numeracy focus. Ms Miranda Whitely is also present on Mondays until 4.15pm for Humanities help. Additionally, Marist Youth Mentor and other teaching staff will be available to meet with students and help as required.
It is expected that:
- Students sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave. Students are not permitted to ‘hang out’ on the school grounds at this time so if students leave Homework Club it is expected that they leave the College grounds.
- Students use their time productively and without disrupting other students or tutors.
- Students will follow the instructions of staff with regard to their behaviour in Homework Club.
- Students who behave disruptively or disrespectfully will meet with their Leader of Wellbeing (LOWB) and may be excluded from Homework Club in the future.
Tutorials for the next few weeks are:
Week 2 – OLNA Workshops:
Monday: OLNA Literacy Workshop for Years 10-12, 3.30pm – 4.15pm (Ms Calegari)
Wednesday: OLNA Numeracy Workshop for Years 10-12, 3.30pm – 4.15pm (Ms Pagett)
Week 3 – Year 12 ATAR: Mastering the Essay – A Streetcar Named Desire
Wednesday: 3.30pm – 4.15pm (Ms Miraudo)
Subject Changes and Work Experience
Subject Changes
Whilst many Year 11 and 12 students have settled into their courses for 2019, there may be some students who wish to change subjects. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) advises that Year 11 and 12 students should not transfer between subjects after Friday 1 March (Friday Week 4) as after this date they will find it increasingly difficult to complete the assessment requirements in their new subject. Year 11 and 12 students wishing to change subjects should make an appointment with one of the Pathways and Onsite Coordinators at the earliest opportunity. Please email kelsey.fink@newman.wa.edu.au or justin.farley@newman.wa.edu.au
Work Experience
Many of our Year 10, 11 and 12 students undertake work experience at various points throughout the year. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to challenge themselves and learn about potential pathways after school. We are always looking for new businesses in all industries who would be willing to take on a Newman student for some work experience. We can offer you a willing and enthusiastic worker and the chance to make a difference in a young person’s life, as well as supporting your school community. And we will do the paperwork! Please email one of the Pathways and Onsite Coordinators if you can assist kelsey.fink@newman.wa.edu.au and justin.farley@newman.wa.edu.au
Northern Associated School Sport (NAS)
The College is a member of the Northern Associated Schools (NAS) sporting program and competes against John XXIII, Sacred Heart, Chisholm, and Servite Colleges. The competition encourages participation, sportsmanship and healthy competition. Playing sport and belonging to a team can improve a student’s social, physical and mental well-being and school is the best time to establish this is a lifestyle choice. It is a responsibility of all members of the College community to commit to and promote NAS Sport. This in turn will help motivate our students to give of their best, resulting in a more positive experience for all. The NAS Summer competition commences in Week 5. Click here to access the fixtures and further information.
ACC Swimming Squad Training
ACC Swimming Squad Training commenced this week in the College Pool. Swimmers are asked to be at the pool by 7.00am to ensure training can start by 7.10am. Being on time for each training session is critical to the team’s success and emphasises the importance of every session. Following training, the College will provide cereal for breakfast. Each swimmer is asked to bring a bowl, spoon and cup.
Throughout our training there will be several trial dates to help in the selection of the final squad. These include the Guild Swimming Carnival, NAS Swim Meet and designated trial training days. More information will be provided closer to these dates.
Consent2Go
The College will continue to use Consent2Go for obtaining parental consent for school incursions and excursions in 2019. The Consent2Go paperless system provides the College with the most up to date information regarding student details which greatly improves the College’s ability to manage incursions and excursions.
If you do not have an email address or internet access, please advise Mandy Keeling, Student Data Administrator so we can add you to the Consent2Go paper process Mandy.Keeling@newman.wa.edu.au or 9204 9434
SEQTA for Parents Information Session
This term the College will be running a SEQTA for Parents Information Session aimed at Year 7 Parents and new families in Years 8-12. There are two session times available (both include the same information):
- Session 1 – Wednesday 27 February, 5.00pm in the Exam Centre (access from the Sports Complex car park)
- Session 2 – Thursday 28 February, 9.00am in Studio 1 of the Marist Auditorium
No RSVP is required. Please contact Mandy Keeling, Student Data Administrator for further information Mandy.Keeling@newman.wa.edu.au or 9204 9434
Parent Facebook Groups
This year, the College launched a new parent communication platform (Facebook Groups) which offers each cohort a forum to share information, promote school events and further support the College. Please click here to read the Facebook Groups Terms of Reference.
We invite all parents/guardians to join their designated groups. Please select from the appropriate links below:
Year 7: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2024
Year 8: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2023
Year 9: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2022
Year 10: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2021
Year 11: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2020
Year 12: Newman College Parents – Leavers of 2019
Secondary Assistance Scheme 2019
The State Government, through the Department of Education, provides financial support to eligible parents through the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS). The aim of the scheme is to assist low income families with secondary school costs. Click here for more information.
Food Allergy Reminder
As a result of recent news relating to the dangers of food allergies, Newman College would like to offer a reminder to all families. Newman College is a ‘Nut Aware’ school. It is NOT nut free. Families should be advised that the College cannot guarantee the absence of all nut products or traces of nuts within food across the College. Parents are strongly encouraged to speak with their child discouraging the sharing of food with others. It is pertinent that any child with an identified allergy has completed a Medical Action Plan and discussed this with their child’s teacher. The College Canteen does provide a ‘Nut Aware’ service, but cannot guarantee that that food and beverages served from the Canteen do not contain traces of Nuts, Crustaceans, Fish, Milk, Eggs, Sesame, Soybean and Wheat. If families are reliant on the Canteen for the provision of food and beverages to a child WITH an allergy, they are advised to contact the Canteen Manager, Donna McFadden.
The Canteen is available daily for children of the College. For details please click here.
Upcoming Events
Education Support Centre Parent Information Night
Year 7 Parent Information Night
High Achievers Assembly
REMAR Parent Information Night
Years 7-12 Guild Swimming Carnival
Year 12 Retreat
Year 8 Parent Information Night
Year 9 Parent Information Night
Humanities Tour Parent Information Night
I take this opportunity to wish all of our families a safe and holy year.